Bread Line NYC 2010

Yesterday, when I saw the great mass of people lined up waiting to go where I was going, I blurted, “Good Grief! It looks just like a bread line!” A woman in line shouted back at me, “That’s because it is!” Thankfully, it wasn’t the Great Depression kind of bread line. Food was not being given out. The bread that caused people to show up was money. This massive grouping of humanity was caused by a simple job fair. O.K. It had been advertised to the entire metropolitan area. However, it was, still, simply, a job fair.

I had gone because my career counselor thought it would be good for me. The excursion’s purpose was to help push my own job search into high gear. She wanted me to see what was on offer, who were the companies, ask questions, find out what kind of skills/people companies wanted to hire, and finally, to see how people dressed and what they said. The afternoon was fascinating on several levels. Why? Largely, because of the parallels I drew to the Great Depression. It was also rather a fiasco, but I’ll get to that later.

It’s a different time, different people from that America in the 1930s. Why am I calling this line leading to the job fair a bread line? Because, there were startling similarities. Also, there were major differences that emphasized the cultural changes which have occurred in the past 50 years. The Great Depression was a time of great economic deprivation, and of the Dust Bowl that forced a migration of thousands of people. (Today, it would be millions – except there’s really no where to go.) The whole country lived off of its newsmakers. Not so different from today.

Unlike the old bread lines, nothing was offered freely except admission, yesterday. Whatever you gained, you had to earn. However, before you got to the action, you had to wait. It took a good 10 minutes for me to find the end. The line stretched from the entrance of Madison Square Garden, to the corner of 7th and 31st; turned the corner, going all the way to 8th Avenue; and then, stretched back almost all the way to 33rd Street where I got on the line. That was a little after 2 p.m. Luckily, it was a beautiful Spring day. I got through the line to the job fair doors at 4:15 p.m. somewhat dehydrated, and vaguely delirious! Yes, two hours later.

The job fair was jammed. There were more, very long lines inside! The U.S. Census was there, along with US armed force recruiters looking for cannon fodder. Most of the names were business schools or employment agencies. The actual number and caliber of jobs were small and low level. The fair was held in a concrete-floored room with all the charm of a public toilet. They also had one of those, too, thank goodness!

After such a long wait, the fair was a disappointment. It was also very depressing. The sheer number of people looking for work was a sobering reminder, how truly recessed our economy is. When you are alone, you only see your own struggle. It’s rare to see the sheer number of other people who are “out there” and looking – just like you.

The similar parallels to the bread line are simple. First, there’s the obvious - a huge line of people waiting on a sidewalk to get in the door for “bread.” Next, most people in line refused to make eye contact with anyone, almost as though they were ashamed to be in this line. Third, all the people were eerily silent. There was almost no talking between folks. Fourth, everyone was amazingly patient. It became an endurance test of standing, and waiting. It’s not just the strong who survive. It’s those with the best bladders! And yes, we actually shuffled. It’s impossible not to when you’re in a line. And, in the end, it just wasn’t fun.

The differences between lines from the 1930s to 2010, were mainly cultural. First, because it was a job fair, everyone was very well dressed and groomed. We were a good looking bunch! Next, there were men and women. Third, because the event was co-sponsored by AARP, the age range was extremely broad. Fourth, there was a mix of races which in the 1930s would be unimaginable. And, in the end, when the silence got to be too much, most people hauled out their phones. However, most conversations were short and abrupt. No one wanted to be there.

I sincerely hope I do not go to another job fair. The effort really outweighs the reward! Not only standing in line, but also the time and cost of just getting to the job fair. A gentleman in the line behind me, said he’d been to one at Giant’s Stadium, where there were so many people – there was no parking. So, he left.

I’ve decided to use the power of positive thinking. The economy has turned around. More and more jobs will be created as the days go by. The strategies that do not work will be abandoned. And the job fair will become extinct. All my co-job fair attendees will soon be working in their desired fields, and getting the wages they deserve.

There’s such a thing as repeating the past. I’d rather not! Nor do I wish it on anyone else!